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The KwaZulu-Natal Museums is a cultural and natural history museum renowned for its unique collections - there are eight natural history and around ten cultural history galleries that include an array of mammals (together with the last wild elephant in KwaZulu-Natal), birds, amphibians, insects, an extensive mollusc collection and a life-size T-Rex model. There is also a room dedicated to KwaZulu-Natal history, geological and Paleontological material, and a reconstruction of a Victorian street set in the late 1800's, complete with shops, stable and period homes. Take a walk through a life size recreation of a Drakensberg cave with rock art drawings or a walk on the wooden deck of a wrecked trading vessel in our Towns and Trade Exhibition.

What makes the KwaZulu-Natal Museum particularly interesting is the array of interesting temporary exhibitions that give the museum a definite dynamic advantage. Temporary exhibitions and happenings have included an exploration of the history of segregation in the US, xenophobic violence, children’s art exhibition. The Museum officially opened an exciting exhibition on the Soccer World Cup, in May 2010. The 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indian people to South Africa was celebrated in November 2010, with the launch of a new permanent exhibition showcasing the Indian community of Pietermaritzburg. The KwaZulu-Natal Museum is also very popular with the schools and family visitors alike.

Background of the Recorder

John Hone found a special interest in photography while still at school. Work in the commercial photography field was hard to find and he became a lithographer, mastering many aspects of the print industry. Photography remained an important part of his life, and in 1974 he was invited to join Art Publishers, a well-known national publishing company. Here the skills gained earlier in life served him well and for over twenty-five years he has been the company's MD, all the while retaining a close personal interest in the quality of the products produced. John's great interest in the Drakensberg started when, as a boy, he spent holidays there with his parents, who enjoyed this splendid region. He readily acknowledges that the Drakensberg, with magnificent landscapes, is responsible for first igniting his interest in photography. John is married to Barbara. They have two children, Gareth and Carryn